'Phl ahead of SEA neighbors in disaster preparedness'

SAINT BERNARD, Southern Leyte, Philippines  – The Philippines is ahead of its Southeast Asian neighbors in disaster preparedness, according to the European Union.

Ambassador Guy Ledoux, of the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines, witnessed the country’s progress in disaster risk reduction program here and has commended the collaborative efforts of the local government units, non-government organizations and communities to help save lives and lessen damage in times of disaster.

Ledoux cited the country’s disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation practices.

The National Conference for Effective Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Practices was held here Friday with Ledoux as guest speaker.

According to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), Asia remains the worst affected continent and nine out of the top 10 countries with the highest number of disaster-related deaths were in Asia.

“It has been demonstrated in many cases that a highly effective way of reducing the need for humanitarian aid is to invest in disaster risk reduction measures, including ensuring greater preparedness of people at risk. There is now global recognition and importance of disaster risk reduction,” Ledoux said in his speech.

The conference gathered more than 100 disaster risk reduction practitioners from high-risk communities from Regions II, V, XII, CAR and Caraga targeted by the EU disaster preparedness program.